Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display is provided. A liquid crystal display comprising: an insulating substrate, a plurality of pixels disposed on the insulating substrate, and a display area in which the pixels are arranged in rows and columns, wherein four pixels arranged successively in a row direction form a domain pattern, and the domain pattern is repeated in the row direction and a column direction in the display area, wherein each pixel in first and second rows of the domain pattern has a first domain orientation, and each pixel in third and fourth rows of the domain pattern has a second domain orientation that is different from the first domain orientation.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/271,981 filed Sep. 21, 2016, which claims priority to andthe benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0143874, filed onOct. 15, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to liquid crystaldisplays. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relateto liquid crystal displays with oriented pixel elements.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are one of the most widely used types offlat panel displays. Generally, an LCD includes field generatingelectrodes and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the fieldgenerating electrodes.

In an LCD, voltages are applied to the field generating electrodes togenerate an electric field in a liquid crystal layer. Accordingly, thealignment direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystallayer is determined, and polarization of incident light is controlled.As a result, a desired image is displayed on the LCD.

One of these field generating electrodes is a pixel electrode typicallyhaving a certain pattern. The visibility, transmittance, etc. of the LCDmay be greatly affected by the design or disposition of the pixelelectrode.

In particular, there has been a growing demand for high-resolution LCDs.However, as the resolution of LCDs increases, the area occupied by onepixel is reduced. Therefore, it is required to develop a technology ordesign that can improve the visibility and transmittance of an LCD evenunder the above condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a liquid crystal display (LCD)having improved transmittance and visibility.

However, aspects of the present invention are not restricted to the onesset forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present inventionwill become more apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to whichthe present invention pertains by referencing the detailed descriptionof the present invention given below.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aliquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display comprises: aninsulating substrate, a plurality of pixels disposed on the insulatingsubstrate, and a display area in which the pixels are arranged in rowsand columns, wherein four pixels arranged successively in a rowdirection form a domain pattern, and the domain pattern is repeated inthe row direction and a column direction in the display area, whereineach pixel in first and second rows of the domain pattern has a firstdomain orientation, and each pixel in third and fourth rows of thedomain pattern has a second domain orientation that is different fromthe first domain orientation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display comprises: aninsulating substrate, a plurality of pixels disposed on the insulatingsubstrate, a display area in which the pixels are arranged in rows andcolumns, wherein six pixels arranged successively in a row directionform a domain pattern, and the domain pattern is repeated in the rowdirection and a column direction in the display area, wherein each pixelin first, second and third rows of the domain pattern has a first domainorientation, and each pixel in fourth, fifth and sixth rows of thedomain pattern has a second domain orientation that is different fromthe first domain orientation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display comprises: aninsulating substrate, a plurality of pixels disposed on the insulatingsubstrate, a display area in which the pixels are arranged in rows andcolumns, wherein four pixels arranged successively in a row directionform a domain pattern, and the domain pattern is repeated in the rowdirection and a column direction in the display area, wherein a pixel ina first row of the domain pattern has a first domain orientation, apixel in a second row of the domain pattern has a second domainorientation, a pixel in a third row of the domain pattern has a thirddomain orientation, and a pixel in a fourth row of the domain patternhas a fourth domain orientation.

Effects according to the embodiments of the present invention are notlimited by the contents described above, and furthermore various effectsare included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pixel according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pixel according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color display of pixelsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating whether a horizontal line is seen on theLCD according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels having a light-blockingmember according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color display of pixelsaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color display of pixelsaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color display of pixelsaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a pixel according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied indifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The samereference numbers indicate the same components throughout thespecification. In the attached figures, the thickness of layers andregions is exaggerated for clarity. The various figures thus may not beto scale.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first elementdiscussed below could be termed a second element without departing fromthe teachings of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

All numerical values are approximate, and may vary. All examples ofspecific materials and compositions are to be taken as nonlimiting andexemplary only. Other suitable materials and compositions may be usedinstead.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 1000according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the LCD 1000 according to the current embodimentincludes a gate driver 120, a data driver 130, a signal controller 110,and a display area DA.

The display area DA includes a plurality of pixels PX. The pixels PX maybe arranged in a matrix pattern. The display area DA may include aplurality of gate lines GL extending along a first wiring direction anda plurality of data lines DL extending along a second wiring directionintersecting the first wiring direction.

The gate lines GL receive gate signals from the gate driver 120, and thedata lines DL receive data signals from the data driver 110. Each of thepixels PX may be disposed at an intersection of a gate line GL and adata line DL.

Each pixel PX may display one of a set of primary colors in order toproduce a desired color. In addition, some pixels PX may display a whitecolor. Examples of the primary colors may include red, green, and blue.In the present specification, a pixel which displays red will bereferred to as a red pixel, a pixel which displays green will bereferred to as a green pixel, a pixel which displays blue will bereferred to as a blue pixel, and a pixel which displays white will bereferred to as a white pixel. In addition, any color other than red,green and blue can be displayed by bundling the red, green, blue andwhite pixels together and adjusting the brightness of each of the red,green, blue and white pixels.

A pair of red pixels, a pair of green pixels, a pair of blue pixels anda pair of white pixels may be alternately arranged along a row directionand a column direction. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto, and the red pixels, the green pixels, the blue pixels and thewhite pixels can also be alternately arranged along the row direction.Alternatively, the white pixels may be omitted, and the red pixels, thegreen pixels and the blue pixels may be alternately arranged along thecolumn direction or may be placed at locations respectivelycorresponding to three vertices of a triangle. The red pixels, the greenpixels, the blue pixels and the white pixels can also be arranged invarious other ways, and the arrangement of the red pixels, the greenpixels, the blue pixels and the white pixels is not limited to the abovearrangement structures.

The signal controller 110 receives various signals from an externalsource, and controls the gate driver 120 and the data driver 130 usingthe received signals. For example, the signal controller 110 may receivefrom the external source first image data DATA1 and input controlsignals for controlling the display of the first image data DATA1. Then,the signal controller 110 may output a gate driver control signal CONT1,a data driver control signal CONT2, and second image data DATA2.

The first image data DATA1 may include luminance information for eachpixel PX of the display area DA. The luminance information may have apredetermined number of gray values such as 1024 (=2¹⁰), 256 (=2⁸), or64 (=2⁶) gray values. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto, and the luminance information can also have a different numberof gray values from the above examples. The input first image data DATA1may be divided into frames.

The input control signals input to the signal controller 110 mayinclude, for example, a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, ahorizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a main clock Mclk, and a dataenable signal DE. However, the input control signals are not limited tothe above examples, and other types of signals can further be input tothe signal controller 110.

The gate driver control signal CONT1 may be generated by the signalcontroller 110 to control the operation of the gate driver 120. The gatedriver control signal CONT1 may include a scan start signal and a clocksignal. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and thegate driver control signal CONT1 may, for example, further include othersignals. The gate driver 120 may generate a plurality of gate signalsthat can activate the pixels PX of the display area DA in response tothe gate driver control signal CONT1, and transmit the generated gatesignals to corresponding ones of the gate lines GL.

The data driver control signal CONT2 may be generated by the signalcontroller 110 to control the operation of the data driver 130. The datadriver 130 may generate a plurality of data signals according to thedata driver control signal CONT2, and transmit the generated datasignals to corresponding ones of the data lines DL.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pixel according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lineI-I′ of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the LCD 1000 according to the currentembodiment includes a first insulating substrate 210 and a secondinsulating substrate 270 which face each other, and a liquid crystallayer LCL which is interposed between the two substrates 210 and 270.

A gate line GL may be disposed on the first insulating substrate 210 andmay be located under the second insulating substrate 270. A firstinsulating layer 220 may be disposed on the gate line GL.

A semiconductor layer AL may be disposed on the first insulating layer220. The semiconductor layer AL may overlap a region of the gate lineGL. Here, the region of the gate line GL which is overlapped by thesemiconductor layer AL may be defined as a gate electrode GE, and thegate line GL includes the gate electrode GE.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, an ohmic contact member may beadditionally disposed on the semiconductor layer AL. The semiconductorlayer AL may be made of a semiconductor material such as amorphoussilicon or oxide semiconductor, to pass or block an electric currentaccording to a voltage provided to the gate electrode GE. The ohmiccontact member may be made of a semiconductor material doped withimpurities, so as to form an ohmic contact between each of a sourceelectrode SE and a drain electrode DE thereon and the semiconductorlayer AL thereunder.

A data line DL and the drain electrode DE may be disposed on thesemiconductor layer AL and the first insulating layer 220. The data lineDL intersects the gate line GL. Multiple data lines DL may be provided,and the data lines DL may be separated from each other.

A region of the data line DL may overlap the semiconductor layer AL. Theregion of the data line DL which overlaps the semiconductor layer AL maybe defined as the source electrode SE. The data line DL includes thesource electrode SE.

The source electrode SE is disposed on the semiconductor layer AL. Thedrain electrode DE disposed on the semiconductor layer AL is separatedfrom the source electrode SE. Here, when a channel is formed in thesemiconductor layer AL in response to a gate-on voltage applied to thegate electrode GE, a data voltage applied to the data line DL may beprovided to the drain electrode DE via the source electrode SE and thesemiconductor layer AL.

A first passivation layer 230 may be disposed on the data line DL, thesource electrode SE, and the drain electrode DE. The first passivationlayer 230 can be formed to overlap all regions of the display area DA,excluding a region in which a contact hole CH is formed. In addition,the first passivation layer 230 may include an inorganic insulatingmaterial or an organic insulating material.

The first passivation layer 230 may also be a stack of two or morelayers. For example, an inorganic passivation layer (not illustrated)made of an inorganic insulating material may be provided, and an organicpassivation layer (not illustrated) made of an organic insulatingmaterial may be disposed on the inorganic passivation layer.

A common electrode CE may be disposed on the first passivation layer230. Like the first passivation layer 230, the common electrode CE mayalso be disposed in all regions of the display area DA, excluding theregion in which the contact hole CH is formed.

The common electrode CE may generate an electric field, which acts onthe liquid crystal layer LCL, together with a pixel electrode PE.

A second passivation layer 240 may be disposed on the common electrodeCE. The second passivation layer 240 may insulate the common electrodeCE from another layer formed on the second passivation layer 240, and inparticular may act to separate the common electrode CE from other layersby a distance corresponding to a thickness of the second passivationlayer 240.

The pixel electrode PE is disposed on the second passivation layer 240.The pixel electrode PE may be disposed in a pixel region defined as aregion surrounded by an adjacent data line DL and an adjacent gate lineGL. The pixel electrode PE may include a plurality of branches BR whichare disposed in the middle of the pixel region and separated from eachother, a plurality of slits SL which correspond to openings between thebranches BR, and a connecting bar CB which connects the branches BR.

The pixel electrode PE may form a liquid crystal capacitor Clc byinteracting with the common electrode CE. In addition, the pixelelectrode PE may include a storage capacitor Cst as is known. However,the storage capacitor Cst can be omitted if desired. In the currentembodiment, the storage capacitor Cst is omitted.

A first alignment layer 250 may be disposed on the pixel electrode PE.The first alignment layer 250 may be a horizontal and vertical alignmentlayer. That is, the first alignment layer 250 may arrange adjacentliquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LCL to face in acertain direction in a horizontal plane, and align the liquid crystalmolecules at a predetermined pretilt angle in a vertical direction. Thatis, in an initial state in which no electric field has been formedbetween the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE, the liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer LCL located on the firstalignment layer 250 may be arranged to face in a certain direction alongthe first alignment layer 250, and may be pretilted at an angle of 0.5to 3 degrees to a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of thefirst alignment layer 250.

If the LCD 1000 according to the current embodiment is a normally blackmode LCD which displays black in an initial state in which no electricfield has been formed between the pixel electrode PE and the commonelectrode CE, the liquid crystal molecules may be arranged in a certaindirection by the first alignment layer 250, and black may be displayeddue to this alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules and theinteraction with a polarizing plate which will be described later.

The second insulating substrate 270 is placed to face the firstinsulating substrate 210. A light-blocking member BM may be disposedunder the second insulating substrate 270. The light-blocking member BMmay block light and may be formed as a plurality of bands arranged atregular intervals, or may be formed in a lattice pattern. That is, thelight-blocking member BM may overlap all regions excluding a region inwhich the pixel electrode PE is disposed, thereby preventing the leakageof light.

A color filter layer CFL may be disposed on the second insulatingsubstrate 270 and the light-blocking member BM. The color filter layerCFL may include a plurality of color filters CF. Each of the colorfilters CF may transmit a particular wavelength band of incident lightand block the other wavelength bands, such that light emerging from eachof the color filters CF takes on a particular color.

For example, the color filter layer CFL may include a red color filterwhich transmits light of a wavelength band corresponding to red light, agreen color filter which transmits light of a wavelength bandcorresponding to green light, and a blue color filter which transmitslight of a wavelength band corresponding to blue light. Here, the redcolor filter may transmit light of a wavelength band of approximately580 to 780 nm and reflect light of the other wavelength bands, the greencolor filter may transmit light of a wavelength band of approximately450 to 650 nm and reflect light of the other wavelength bands, and theblue color filter may transmit light of a wavelength band ofapproximately 380 to 560 nm and reflect light of the other wavelengthbands.

The color filter layer CFL may be made of pigments or photosensitiveorganic matter which produces red, green and blue colors. The colors oflight transmitted from the color filter layer CFL are not limited tored, green and blue, and materials that transmit light of wavelengthbands corresponding to other colors can also be used for the colorfilter layer CFL. In addition, the color filter layer CFL can produce atransparent color by transmitting light of all wavelength bands. Thatis, the color filter layer CFL may be transparent, in addition to havingany desired color.

The light-blocking member BM and the color filter layer CFL are notnecessarily formed adjacent to the second insulating substrate 270, butcan also be formed on the first insulating substrate 210. In this case,the first passivation layer 230 disposed on the first insulatingsubstrate 210 may be omitted, and the color filter layer CFL may beformed here instead. Accordingly, the color filter layer CFL may alsofunction as the first passivation layer 230. In this case, the LCD 1000may become thinner. In addition, since some processes are omitted,production costs can be saved. The color filter layer CFL can also beformed in place of a layer other than the first passivation layer 230.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, a cover layer (notillustrated) may be disposed under the light-blocking member BM and thecolor filter layer CFL. The cover layer (not illustrated) can preventthe color filter layer CFL and the light-blocking member BM from movingout of position and can prevent a defect, such as an afterimage createdduring screen driving, by suppressing contamination of the liquidcrystal layer LCL due to organic matter (e.g., a solvent) introducedfrom the color filter layer CFL.

The liquid crystal layer LCL may be disposed between the firstinsulating substrate 210 and the second insulating substrate 270, andmay control the intensity of light transmitting therethrough. The liquidcrystal layer LCL may include a plurality of liquid crystal moleculeshaving dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal molecules may havepositive dielectric anisotropy. Therefore, long axes of the liquidcrystal molecules may be arranged in a direction horizontal to anapplied electric field. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto, and the liquid crystal molecules can also have negativedielectric anisotropy. In this case, the long axes of the liquid crystalmolecules may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the appliedelectric field.

When an electric field is formed between the common electrode CE and thepixel electrode PE, adjacent liquid crystal molecules are rearranged ina certain direction, and the polarization of light that passes throughthe rearranged liquid crystal molecules is changed by the opticalanisotropy of the rearranged liquid crystal molecules. Accordingly, thelight may be transmitted or blocked by the polarizing plate (notillustrated) of each of the first insulating substrate 210 and thesecond insulating substrate 270. Here, the term ‘rearranged’ denotesthat the liquid crystal molecules are mostly rotated by the effect ofthe electric field formed between the common electrode CE and the pixelelectrode PE.

The pixel electrode PE may include the branches BR separated from eachother, the slits SL formed between the branches BR, and the connectingbar CB connecting the branches BR. Here, the branches BR and the slitsSL may tilt, or be oriented, at a predetermined angle with respect to adirection perpendicular to the gate line GL.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, in one pixel PX of the LCD1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention, branchesBR and slits SL of a pixel electrode may tilt in a different directionfrom the branches BR and the slits SL of the pixel electrode PEaccording to the previous embodiment. Further, since various types ofpixels are disposed in the display area DA, a viewing angle can beimproved. This will be described in greater detail later with referenceto FIG. 4.

A section of the data line DL which is disposed adjacent to each pixelPX, that is a section of the data line DL which is disposed adjacent tothe pixel electrode PE, may be oriented parallel to the branches BR andthe slits SL of the pixel electrode PE. Accordingly, in a pixel regiondefined as a region surrounded by an adjacent data line DL and anadjacent gate line GL, control over liquid crystal molecules of thepixel electrode PE may be increased, thereby improving transmittance.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anembodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, 16 pixels located in a region of the display area DA of theLCD 1000 of FIG. 1 are illustrated as an example.

Referring to FIG. 4, each of a plurality of pixels P11 through P44according to an embodiment of the present invention forms one domain. Inaddition, two types of domains are formed by the pixels P11 through P44.Each of the pixels P11 through P44 is disposed in a region surrounded bya gate line GL extending substantially in the column direction, and adata line DL extending substantially in the row direction. In addition,a switching device Q, which delivers a data signal from the data line DLto the pixel electrode PE, may be disposed below the pixel electrode PE.

As used herein, the term “row direction” means a direction in which thenumber of rows increases rather than a direction in which a row extends,and the term “column direction” means a direction in which the number ofcolumns increases rather than a direction in which a column extends.That is, the row direction is a direction extending from the upper sideto the lower side of the plane on which the pixels are arranged as shownin FIG. 4. Further, the column direction is a direction extending fromthe left side to the right side of the plane on which the pixels arearranged as shown in FIG. 4.

The branches BR and the slits SL of the pixel electrode PE included ineach of the pixels P11 through P44 may be oriented to form a particularincluded angle with their respective gate lines GL. The pixels P11through P24 may each form a first domain by forming a first angle θ1 asan included angle, and the pixels P31 through P44 may each form a seconddomain by forming a second angle θ2 as an included angle.

The pixels P11 through P44 shown in FIG. 4 may be defined as first rowfirst column through fourth row fourth column pixels P11 through P44,respectively. In this case, the pixels P11 through P24 disposed in thefirst row and the second row may collectively form the first domain, andthe pixels P31 through P44 disposed in the third row and the fourth rowmay together form the second domain.

Here, the pixel electrode PE included in each of the pixels P11 throughP24 in the first and second rows may include branches BR which tilt in aclockwise direction at the first angle θ1 with respect to the directionperpendicular to the gate lines GL, thereby forming the first domain.The pixel electrode PE included in each of the pixels P31 through P44 inthe third and fourth rows may include branches BR which tilt in acounterclockwise direction at the second angle θ2 with respect to thedirection perpendicular to the gate lines GL, thereby forming the seconddomain. In addition, the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 may havethe same absolute value, such that the first domain and the seconddomain are symmetric with respect to the direction perpendicular to thegate lines GL.

Here, two pixels (e.g., P11 and P31) disposed in non-successive rows andin the same column may express the same color. This can improve theasymmetry of a horizontal viewing angle.

In FIG. 4, 16 pixels P11 through P44 are illustrated as an example.However, the number of pixels actually disposed in the display area DAmay be different from, e.g. far larger than, 16. Here, four pixelsarranged successively in the row direction may be defined as one domainpattern. In this case, the domain pattern may be repeated in the rowdirection and the column direction in the display area DA, therebyforming the LCD 1000.

In addition, two pixels arranged successively in the row direction maybe controlled by different gate lines GL, respectively.

In addition, four pixels disposed adjacent to each other in the rowdirection and the column direction may be defined as one pixel group UP.Pixels included in one pixel group UP may display different colors. Inan example, the first row first column pixel P11, the first row secondcolumn pixel P12, the second row first column pixel P21 and the secondrow second column pixel P22 may form a first pixel group UP1. This willbe described in greater detail later with reference to FIG. 6.

For example, the first row first column pixel P11 included in the firstpixel group UP1 and the third row first column pixel P31 included in asecond pixel group UP2 may display the same color but havedifferently-oriented domains. In this case, even if each of the pixelsP11 and P31 has only one domain orientation, the pixels P11 and P31 cangather together to form two domain orientations, thereby improving thehorizontal viewing angle. However, since the first row first columnpixel P11 and the third row first column pixel P31 are different pixels,they may display different gray levels. When the pixels P11 and P31 aresufficiently small in size, even if the two pixels P11 and P31 displaydifferent gray levels, the different gray levels cannot be distinguishedwith the naked eye. Therefore, a horizontal line may not be seen.

Here, when two different pixels which display the same color and havedifferently-oriented domains are all disposed within 150 μm, ahorizontal line may not be seen. Specifically, when a distance dt1between an upper end of the pixel electrode PE of the first row firstcolumn pixel P11 and a lower end of the pixel electrode PE of the thirdrow first column pixel P31 is 150 μm or less, even if data signalsindicating different gray levels are provided to the two pixels P11 andP31, a horizontal line may not be seen.

When two differently-oriented domains are formed in two different pixelsdisposed non-successively as described above, higher transmittance canbe obtained than when two domains are formed in one pixel. This will nowbe described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pixel according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

Elements of FIG. 5 that are identical to those of FIG. 2, are omittedfrom any further detailed description below.

Referring to FIG. 5, a pixel electrode, unlike the pixel electrode PE ofFIG. 2, includes a bent part in the middle thereof, so that two domainsare formed in one pixel. Here, liquid crystal molecules around a regionin which the bent part of the pixel electrode is disposed may beaffected by both a first domain and a second domain. Accordingly, theliquid crystal molecules may be rearranged irregularly or may not berearranged in one direction. Therefore, the region in which the bentpart is disposed may be displayed darker than its surrounding region ormay be displayed in black, thus reducing the transmittance of the LCD1000. On the other hand, since only one domain is formed in the pixel ofFIG. 2, the bent part is not formed, thus improving transmittance.

The color arrangement of pixels will now be described with reference toFIG. 4 again.

As described above, the first row first column pixel P11, the first rowsecond column pixel P12, the second row first column pixel P21, and thesecond row second column pixel P22 may form the first pixel group UP1,and the third row first column P31, the third row second column pixelP32, the fourth row first column pixel P41 and the fourth row secondcolumn pixel P42 may form the second pixel group UP2. In addition,pixels located at corresponding positions in the first pixel group UP1and the second pixel group UP2 may display the same color and formdifferent domains, thereby improving the viewing angle.

Likewise, the first row third column pixel P13, the first row fourthcolumn pixel P14, the second row third column pixel P23 and the secondrow fourth column pixel P24 may form a third pixel group UP3, and thethird row third column pixel P33, the third row fourth column pixel P34,the fourth row third column pixel P43 and the fourth row fourth columnpixel P44 may form a fourth pixel group UP4. In addition, pixels locatedat corresponding positions in the third pixel group UP3 and the fourthpixel group UP4 may display the same color and form different domains,thereby improving viewing angle.

The color display of the first through fourth pixel groups UP1 throughUP4 will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color display of pixelsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, each of the first through fourth pixel groups UP1through UP4 may include one red pixel R, one green pixel G, one bluepixel B, and one white pixel W.

Specifically, pixels in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns mayform one pixel group and may be a red pixel R which displays red, agreen pixel G which displays green, a blue pixel B which displays blue,and a white pixel W which displays white. For example, the first rowfirst column pixel P11 may be the red pixel R, the first row secondcolumn pixel P12 may be the green pixel G, the second row first columnpixel P21 may be the blue pixel B, and the second row second columnpixel P22 may be the white pixel W. These four pixels may form the firstpixel group UP1.

In addition, the third row first column pixel P31 may be the red pixelR, the third row second column pixel P32 may be the green pixel G, thefourth row first column pixel P41 may be the blue pixel B, and thefourth row second column pixel P42 may be the white pixel W. These fourpixels may form the second pixel group UP2.

The second pixel group UP2 may be disposed immediately below the firstpixel group UP1 in plan view. Each of the pixels P11, P12, P21 and P22included in the first pixel group UP1 may form the first domain, andeach of the pixels P31, P32, P41 and P42 included in the second pixelgroup UP2 may form the second domain. In addition, the color arrangementorder of the first pixel group UP1 may be the same as that of the secondpixel group UP2. That is, the red pixel R may be disposed at an upperleft corner of each of the first and second pixel groups UP1 and UP2,the green pixel G may be disposed at an upper right corner, the bluepixel B may be disposed at a lower left corner, and the white pixel Wmay be disposed at a lower right corner.

However, the arrangement of the red pixel R, the green pixel G, the bluepixel B and the white pixel W is not limited to the above example. Anyarrangement is contemplated. For example, contrary to FIG. 6, the whitepixel W may be disposed at the upper left corner of each pixel group,the blue pixel B may be disposed at the upper right corner, the greenpixel G may be disposed at the lower left corner, and the red pixel Rmay be disposed at the lower right corner. The red pixel R, the greenpixel G, the blue pixel B and the white pixel W can also be arranged invarious other ways. Even in this case, the color arrangement order ofpixels included in adjacent pixel groups may be the same, andcorresponding pixels of two pixel groups arranged successively in therow direction may have different domains.

When a white pixel W is used as described above, the transmittance ofthe LCD 1000 can be improved. This is because the color filter layer CFLof the white pixel W is disposed transmits light of all wavelengthbands, whereas the color filter layer CFL of each of the red pixel R,the green pixel G and the blue pixel B only transmits light of aparticular wavelength band.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating whether a horizontal line is seen on theLCD 1000 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the horizontal axis of the graph represents PPI,which denotes the number of pixel groups per inch. In addition, thevertical axis of the graph represents the difference [cd/m²] inluminance between two non-successive pixels which display the same colorbut have differently-oriented domains. A first line L1 representswhether a horizontal line is seen on the LCD 1000 from a distance of 250mm, and a second line L2 represents whether a horizontal line is seen onthe LCD 1000 from a distance of 200 mm.

In a region below the first line L1, a horizontal line between twopixels may be seen on the LCD 1000 from the distance of 250 mm. In aregion above the first line L1, a horizontal line between two pixels maynot be seen on the LCD 1000 from the distance of 250 mm. In addition, ina region below the second line L2, a horizontal line between two pixelsmay be seen on the LCD 1000 from the distance of 200 mm. In a regionabove the second line L2, a horizontal line between two pixels may notbe seen on the LCD 1000 from the distance of 200 mm.

Each pixel may be controlled by the signal controller 110 to express acertain gray level. The degree of brightness measured when a pixelactually displays a color according to a gray level may correspond toluminance, and the unit of luminance may be [cd/m²].

Referring to the graph, as the value of the x axis increases, the valueof each of the first line L1 and the second line L2 on the y axisincreases. That is, as the resolution increases, a horizontal line maynot be seen despite a greater difference in luminance between pixels. Inaddition, since the first line L1 is always formed above the second lineL2, it can be understood that a horizontal line is more visible as thedistance to the LCD 1000 decreases.

In view of all these factors, it can be understood that a horizontalline is generally not seen when two pixels which are not successive andhave differently-oriented domains are placed within 150 mm.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels having the light-blockingmember BM according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 8 that areidentical to those of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 8, a light-blocking member BM may extend along thecolumn direction and may not be formed along the row direction.Therefore, part of a data line DL extending along the row direction maybe exposed.

Since the light-blocking member BM is not formed along the rowdirection, the transmittance of the LCD 1000 can be improved.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 9 that areidentical to those of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 9, unlike in FIG. 4, portions of each data line DLadjacent to switching devices Q of each pixel are also tilted.

Specifically, in a region in which the row pixels P11 through P14 andP21 through P24 tilt in a clockwise direction at a first angle θ1 withrespect to a direction perpendicular to gate lines GL, a data line DLmay tilt in the clockwise direction at a third angle θ3 with respect tothe direction perpendicular to the gate lines GL. The first angle θ1 andthe third angle θ3 may have the same absolute value.

In addition, in a region in which the row pixels P31 through P34 and P41through P44 tilt in a counterclockwise direction at a second angle θ2with respect to the direction perpendicular to the gate lines GL, thedata line DL may tilt in the counterclockwise direction at a fourthangle θ4 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the gate linesGL. The second angle θ2 and the fourth angle θ4 may have the sameabsolute value.

Therefore, all sections of each data line DL may tilt parallel to slitsSL and branches BR of the pixel electrode PE. Since each data line DLhas fewer bends, it can be designed more easily.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagramillustrating the color display of pixels according to another embodimentof the present invention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 10 that areidentical to those of FIG. 4. In addition, detailed description isomitted for those elements of FIG. 11 that are identical to those ofFIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, unlike in FIGS. 4 and 6, six pixelsarranged successively in a row direction may form one domain pattern,and three pixels arranged successively in the row direction may form onepixel group. In addition, two pixel groups arranged successively in therow direction may form different domains. Also, in each of pixel groupsarranged successively in the row direction, a red pixel R may bedisposed in a first row, a green pixel G may be disposed in a secondrow, and a blue pixel B may be disposed in a third row.

Accordingly, a first red pixel R which forms a first domain can improvethe viewing angle together with another red pixel R which is separatedfrom the first red pixel R by three pixels in the row direction andforms a second domain. In addition, a first green pixel G which formsthe second domain can improve the viewing angle together with anothergreen pixel G which is separated from a first green pixel G by threepixels in the row direction and forms the second domain. A first bluepixel B which forms the first domain can improve the viewing angletogether with another blue pixel B which is separated from the firstblue pixel B by three pixels in the row direction and forms the seconddomain.

The arrangement order of the red pixel R, the green pixel G, and theblue pixel B in each pixel group is not limited to the above example andcan be changed. Even in this case, the arrangement order of the redpixel R, the green pixel G and the blue pixel B may, though need notnecessarily, be the same in two pixel groups which form differentdomains.

When a white pixel W is not used while the red pixel R, the green pixelG and the blue pixel B are used as described above, the area occupied byone pixel group can be reduced. Therefore, higher resolution can beobtained for the same area.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 12 that areidentical to those of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 12, unlike in FIG. 4, pixels included in one pixelgroup may form differently-oriented domains.

Specifically, a pixel electrode PE in each of a first row first columnpixel P11 and a first row second column pixel P12 may form a thirddomain by tilting in a clockwise direction at a fifth angle θ5 to adirection perpendicular to gate lines GL, and a pixel electrode PE ineach of a second row first column pixel P21 and a second row secondcolumn pixel P22 may form a fourth domain by tilting in the clockwisedirection at a sixth angle θ6 to the direction perpendicular to the gatelines GL. In addition, the first row first column pixel P11, the firstrow second column pixel P12, the second row first column pixel P21, andthe second row second column pixel P22 may form a first pixel group UP1.That is, unlike in FIG. 4, pixels in different rows within one pixelgroup may have differently-oriented domains.

In addition, a pixel electrode PE in each of a third row first columnpixel P31 and a third row second column pixel P32 may form a fifthdomain by tilting in a counterclockwise direction at a seventh angle θ7to the direction perpendicular to the gate lines GL, and a pixelelectrode PE in each of a fourth row first column pixel P41 and a fourthrow second column pixel P42 may form a sixth domain by tilting in thecounterclockwise direction at an eighth angle θ8 to the directionperpendicular to the gate lines GL. In addition, the third row firstcolumn pixel P31, the third row second column pixel P32, the fourth rowfirst column pixel P41, and the fourth row second column pixel P42 mayform a second pixel group UP2. As in the first pixel group UP1, pixelsin different rows within the second pixel group UP2 may havedifferently-oriented domains.

Further, the fifth angle θ5 and the seventh angle θ7 may have the sameabsolute value, and the sixth angle θ6 and the eighth angle θ8 may havethe same absolute value. In addition, the pixel electrode PE of each ofthe pixels P11, P12, P21 and P22 included in the first pixel group UP1may tilt in the clockwise direction from the direction perpendicular tothe gate lines GL, and the pixel electrode PE of each of the pixels P31,P32, P41 and P42 included in the second pixel group UP2 may tilt in thecounterclockwise direction from the direction perpendicular to the gatelines GL. Also, the absolute values of the fifth angle θ5 and theseventh angle θ7 may be greater than those of the sixth angle θ6 and theeighth angle θ8.

The above structure can improve viewing angle.

That is, the pixels P11 and P12 in a first row of the first pixel groupUP1 and the pixels P31 and P32 in a first row of the second pixel groupUP2 may form two domains by tilting in different directions but at thesame angle to the direction perpendicular to the gate lines GL. Inaddition, the pixels P21 and P22 in a second row of the first pixelgroup UP1 and the pixels P41 and P42 in a second row of the second pixelgroup UP2 may form two domains by tilting in different directions but atthe same angle to the direction perpendicular to the gate lines GL.Further, the pixels P11 and P12 in the first row of the first pixelgroups UP1 may tilt at a different angle from the pixels P21 and P22 inthe second row of the first pixel group UP1. In this case, since pixelshaving four different orientations can be placed in the display area DA,an improvement in viewing angle can be maximized.

Even in the above case, pixels which form a pair of differently-orienteddomains may display the same color. For example, when the first rowfirst column pixel P11 is a red pixel R, the third row first columnpixel P31 may also be a red pixel R. When the first row second columnpixel P12 is a green pixel G, the third row second column pixel P32 mayalso be a green pixel G. When the second row first column pixel P21 is ablue pixel B, the fourth row first column pixel P41 may also be a bluepixel B. When the second row second column pixel P22 is a white pixel W,the fourth row second column pixel P42 may also be a white pixel W.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 13 that areidentical to those of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, unlike in FIG. 12, pixels in a first row of afirst pixel group UP1 and a second row of a second pixel group UP2 mayform domains which are symmetrically arranged, and a second row of thefirst pixel group UP1 and a first row of the second pixel group UP2 mayform domains which are symmetrically arranged.

Accordingly, a pixel electrode PE of each of pixels P31 through P34disposed in a third row may tilt in a counterclockwise direction at aneighth angle θ8 to a direction perpendicular to gate lines GL, and apixel electrode PE of each of pixels P41 through P44 disposed in afourth row may tilt in the counterclockwise direction at a seventh angleθ7 to the direction perpendicular to the gate lines GL. This is thereverse of the structure of FIG. 12, in which the pixel electrode PE ofeach of the pixels P31 through P34 disposed in the third row tilts atthe seventh angle θ7 to the direction perpendicular to the gate lines GLand the pixel electrode PE of each of the pixels P41 through P44disposed in the fourth row tilts at the eighth angle θ8 to the directionperpendicular to the gate lines GL.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagramillustrating the color display of pixels according to another embodimentof the present invention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 14 that areidentical to those of FIG. 4. In addition, detailed description isomitted for those elements of FIG. 15 that are identical to those ofFIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, unlike in FIGS. 4 and 6, pixels P11through P14 and P21 through P24 in the first and second rows may receivedata signals from data lines DL disposed on a left side thereof, andpixels P31 through P34 and P41 through P44 in third and fourth rows mayreceive data signals from data lines DL disposed on a right sidethereof.

This structure helps provide efficient polarity inversion.

More specifically, the LCD 1000 may use a polarity inversion method ofperiodically inverting the voltage of a signal transmitted to each pixelin order to prevent image crosstalk and flicker noise. Conventionalcolumn inversion is simple to perform but is not highly effective inpreventing image crosstalk and flicker noise. On the other hand,conventional dot inversion is difficult to perform but is highlyeffective in preventing image crosstalk and flicker noise.

Here, if the connection structure to the data lines DL illustrated inFIG. 14 is used, the effect of dot inversion can be obtained byperforming column inversion. Specifically, during display of aparticular frame, a data signal having a positive polarity (+) may beprovided to an m^(th) data line DLm, a data signal having a negativepolarity (−) may be provided to an (m+1)^(th) data line DLm+1, a datasignal having the positive polarity (+) may be provided to an (m+2)^(th)data line DLm+2, a data signal having the negative polarity (−) may beprovided to an (m+3)^(th) data line DLm+3, and a data signal having thepositive polarity (+) may be provided to an (m+4)^(th) data line DLm+4.

Here, the positive polarity denotes a state in which a voltage providedto a pixel electrode PE of a corresponding pixel PX is relativelygreater than a voltage provided to the common electrode CE. The negativepolarity denotes a state in which a voltage provided to the pixelelectrode PE of the corresponding pixel PX is relatively smaller than avoltage provided to the common electrode CE. That is, the positivepolarity or the negative polarity does not necessarily mean a voltagegreater or less than 0 V. Instead, the positive polarity or the negativepolarity may be determined by a relative difference between voltagesprovided to the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE. In aframe, a data signal may be sequentially provided to each column ofpixels. Since the pixels P11 through P14 and P21 through P24 in thefirst and second rows are connected to the data lines DL located on theleft side thereof, a data signal having the positive polarity (+) may beprovided to the first row first column pixel P1 and the second row firstcolumn pixel P21, a data signal having the negative polarity (−) may beprovided to the first row second column pixel P12 and the second rowsecond column pixel P22, a data signal having the positive polarity (+)may be provided to the first row third column pixel P13 and the secondrow third column pixel P23, and a data signal having the negativepolarity (−) may be provided to the first row fourth column pixel P14and the second row and fourth column pixel P24.

However, since the pixels P31 through P34 and P41 through P44 in thethird and fourth rows are connected to the data lines DL disposed on theright side thereof, a data signal having the negative polarity (−) maybe provided to the third row first column pixel P31 and the fourth rowfirst column pixel P41, a data signal having the positive polarity (+)may be provided to the third row second column pixel P32 and the fourthrow second column pixel P42, a data signal having the negative polarity(−) may be provided to the third row third column pixel P33 and thefourth row third column pixel P43, and a data signal having the positivepolarity (+) may be provided to the third row fourth pixel P34 and thefourth row fourth column pixel P44.

That is, although a data signal having the positive polarity (+) and adata signal having the negative polarity (−) are transmitted to eachdata line DL, pixels in the display area DA may have the positivepolarity (+) and the negative polarity (−) alternately along a columndirection, and the positive polarity (+) and the negative polarity (−)may alternate every two pixels along a row direction. Therefore, theeffect of dot inversion can largely be obtained.

In this case, since the first row first column pixel P11 and the thirdrow first column pixel P31 are red pixels R and havedifferently-oriented domains, horizontal visibility can be improved. Inaddition, since data signals provided to the two pixels which displaythe same color have opposite polarities, flicker can be effectivelyreduced.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagramillustrating the color display of pixels according to another embodimentof the present invention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 16 that areidentical to those of FIG. 10. In addition, detailed description isomitted for those elements of FIG. 17 that are identical to those ofFIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, unlike in FIGS. 10 and 11, pixels P11through P14, P31 through P34 and P51 through P54 in odd-numbered rowsmay receive data signals from data lines DL disposed on a left sidethereof, and pixels P21 through P24, P41 through P44 and P61 through P64in even-numbered rows may receive data signals from data lines DLdisposed on a right side thereof.

This structure ensures efficient polarity inversion.

That is, if the connection structure to the data lines DL illustrated inFIG. 16 is used, the effect of dot inversion can be obtained byperforming column inversion.

Specifically, in a frame at a certain time, a data signal having apositive polarity (+) may be provided to an m^(th) data line DLm, a datasignal having a negative polarity (−) may be provided to an (m+1)^(th)data line DLm+1, a data signal having the positive polarity (+) may beprovided to an (m+2)^(th) data line DLm+2, a data signal having thenegative polarity (−) may be provided to an (m+3)^(th) data line DLm+3,and a data signal having the positive polarity (+) may be provided to an(m+4)^(th) data line DLm+4.

At the same time, in the frame, a data signal may be sequentiallyprovided to each row of pixels. A data signal having the positivepolarity (+) may be provided to the pixels P11, P13, P31, P33, P51 andP53 in odd-numbered rows and odd-numbered columns, and to the pixelsP22, P24, P42, P44, P62 and P64 in even-numbered rows and even-numberedcolumns. In addition, a data signal having the negative polarity (−) maybe provided to the pixels P12, P14, P32, P34, P52 and P54 inodd-numbered rows and even-numbered columns, and to the pixels P21, P23,P41, P43, P61 and P63 in even-numbered rows and odd-numbered columns.

Therefore, each of a plurality of pixels which form first through eighthpixel groups UP1 through UP8 may receive a data signal having adifferent polarity from polarities of data signals provided to pixelsadjacent thereto in horizontal and vertical directions. Accordingly, theeffect of dot inversion can be obtained.

In addition, referring to the first and second pixel groups UP1 and UP2which are adjacent to each other in a row direction, the pixel P11 in afirst row of the first pixel group UP1 is a red pixel R and receives adata signal having the positive polarity (+), whereas the pixel P41 in afirst row of the second pixel group UP2 is a red pixel R and receives adata signal having the negative polarity (−). That is, since the twopixels have differently-oriented domains, horizontal visibility can beimproved. In addition, data signals provided to the two pixels whichdisplay the same color have opposite polarities, so that flicker can beeffectively reduced while the horizontal visibility is effectivelyimproved.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a plurality of pixels according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 18, eight pixels in a region of a display area DA of an LCD 1000according to another embodiment of the present invention are illustratedas an example.

Referring to FIG. 18, each of a plurality of pixels P11 through P42according to the current embodiment forms one domain. In addition, twotypes of domain orientations are formed by the pixels P11 through P42.Each of the pixels P11 through P42 is disposed in a region surrounded bya data line DL extending substantially in a column direction and a gateline GL extending substantially in a row direction. In addition, aswitching device Q which delivers a data signal provided to each dataline DL to a pixel electrode PE may be disposed on a side of the pixelelectrode PE.

In addition, branches BR and slits SL of the pixel electrode PE includedin each of the pixels P11 through P42 may tilt to form a particularincluded angle in a clockwise direction with respect to a directionperpendicular to the data lines DL. The pixels P11 through P42 mayinclude domains oriented at a ninth angle θ9 and domains oriented at atenth angle θ10.

Specifically, the pixels P11 through P42 shown in FIG. 18 may be definedas first row first column through fourth row second column pixels P11through P42, respectively. In this case, each of the pixels P11, P12,P21 and P22 disposed in first and second rows may form the first domain,and each of the pixels P31, P32, P41 and P42 disposed in third andfourth rows may form the second domain.

Here, the pixel electrode PE included in each of the pixels P11, P12,P21 and P22 in the first and second rows may tilt in the clockwisedirection at the ninth angle θ9 to the direction perpendicular to thedata lines DL, thereby forming the first domain orientation. The pixelelectrode PE included in each of the pixels P31, P32, P41 and P42 in thethird and fourth rows may tilt in a counterclockwise direction at thetenth angle θ10 to the direction perpendicular to the data lines DL,thereby forming the second domain orientation. In addition, the ninthangle θ9 and the tenth angle θ10 may have the same absolute value suchthat the first domain and the second domain are symmetrically arrangedabout a data line DL.

Here, two different pixels disposed in non-successive rows may expressthe same color. Accordingly, this can improve the asymmetry of thehorizontal viewing angle as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

That is, the gate lines GL and the data lines DL may extend in oppositedirections from the directions in FIG. 4, and the asymmetry of thehorizontal view angle and transmittance can be improved. Further, whenthe number of the data lines DL and the number of the gate lines GL areadjusted, the adjustment can be easily reflected in the design. FIG. 19is a plan view of a pixel according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Detailed description is omitted for those elements of FIG. 19 that areidentical to those of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 19, unlike in FIG. 2, a pixel electrode PE may includea plurality of edge branches EBR and a plurality of edge slits ESL,which are disposed on both sides of a plurality of branches BR and aplurality of slits SL. The pixel electrode PE also includes a connectingbar CB that connects edge branches EBR to each other.

Here, the branches BR and the slits SL may tilt in a clockwise directionat an eleventh angle θ11 relative to a direction perpendicular to gatelines GL, and the edge branches EBR and the edge slits ESL may tilt inthe clockwise direction at a twelfth angle θ12 relative to the directionperpendicular to the gate lines GL. In addition, the eleventh angle θ11may be greater than the twelfth angle θ12.

The addition of the edge branches EBR and the edge slits ESL canincrease the control over liquid crystal molecules disposed adjacent tothe connecting bar CB of the pixel electrode PE, thereby increasingtransmittance.

Lengths of the edge branches EBR and the edge slits ESL may be equal toor less than one third of lengths of the branches BR and the slits SL,respectively. In this case, an increase in transmittance in a region inwhich the connecting bar CB is disposed may be greater than animprovement in the horizontal visibility of an LCD 1000.

The pixel configuration illustrated in FIG. 19 is applicable to pixelsincluded in any of the above-described embodiments.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an LCD havingimproved transmittance and visibility can be provided.

However, the effects of the present invention are not restricted to theone set forth herein. The above and other effects of the presentinvention will become more apparent to one of daily skill in the art towhich the present invention pertains by referencing the claims. Variousfeatures of the above described and other embodiments can be mixed andmatched in any manner, to produce further embodiments consistent withthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising: aninsulating substrate; a plurality of pixels disposed on the insulatingsubstrate; and a display area in which the pixels are arranged in rowsand columns, wherein six pixels arranged successively in a firstdirection form a domain pattern, wherein the domain pattern is repeatedin the first direction and a second direction in the display area,wherein each of consecutive first pixel, second pixel, and third pixelof the domain pattern has a first-type branch electrode oblique relativeto a row among the rows and oriented according to a first domainorientation and has no second-type branch electrode oriented accordingto a second domain orientation different from the first domainorientation, wherein each of consecutive fourth pixel, fifth pixel, andsixth pixel of the domain pattern has a second-type branch electrodeoblique relative to the row and oriented according to the second domainorientation and has no first-type branch electrode oriented according tothe first domain orientation, wherein the second pixel of the domainpattern is positioned between the first and third pixels of the domainpattern in the first direction, and wherein the third and fourth pixelsof the domain pattern are positioned between the second and fifth pixelsof the domain pattern in the first direction.
 2. The LCD of claim 1,wherein the first and fourth pixels of the domain pattern are configuredto display the same color, the second and fifth pixels of the domainpattern are configured to display the same color, the third and sixthpixels of the domain pattern are configured to display the same color,and the first, second, and third pixels of the domain pattern areconfigured to display different colors.
 3. The LCD of claim 1, whereinthe first, third, and fifth pixels of the domain pattern are configuredto receive data signals from an adjacent data line disposed on a sidethereof, and the second, fourth, and sixth pixels of the domain patternare configured to receive data signals from an adjacent data linedisposed on another side thereof.
 4. A liquid crystal display (LCD)comprising: an insulating substrate; a plurality of pixels disposed onthe insulating substrate; and a display area in which the pixels arearranged in rows and columns, wherein four pixels arranged successivelyin a first direction form a domain pattern, wherein the domain patternis repeated in the first direction and a second direction in the displayarea, wherein a first pixel of the domain pattern has a first-typebranch electrode oriented at a first acute angle relative to a row amongthe rows and oriented according to a first domain orientation and has nosecond-type branch electrode oriented according to a second domainorientation, wherein a second pixel of the domain pattern immediatelyneighbors the first pixel of the domain pattern, has a second-typebranch electrode oriented at a second acute angle relative to the rowand oriented according to the second domain orientation, and has nofirst-type branch electrode oriented according to the first domainorientation, wherein the first acute angle is unequal to the secondacute angle, wherein a third pixel of the domain pattern has a thirddomain orientation, wherein a fourth pixel of the domain pattern has afourth domain orientation, wherein the second and third pixels of thedomain pattern are positioned between the first and fourth pixels of thedomain pattern in the first direction, and wherein the first domainorientation is different from the third domain orientation.
 5. The LCDof claim 4, further comprising a plurality of gate lines and a pluralityof data lines which overlap the insulating substrate and intersect eachother, wherein the first and fourth pixels of the domain pattern areconnected to different ones of the gate lines, wherein the gate linesextend parallel to the row, wherein the third pixel of the domainpattern immediately neighbors the second pixel of the domain pattern,has a third-type branch electrode oriented according to the third domainorientation and oriented at a third acute angle with respect to the row,and has no fourth-type branch electrode oriented according to the fourthdomain orientation, wherein the fourth pixel of the domain patternimmediately neighbors the third pixel of the domain pattern, has afourth-type branch electrode oriented according to the fourth domainorientation and oriented at a fourth acute angle with respect to therow, and has no third-type branch electrode oriented according to thethird domain orientation, and wherein the third acute angle is unequalto the fourth acute angle.
 6. The LCD of claim 5, wherein the secondacute angle is greater than the first acute angle.
 7. The LCD of claim5, wherein the fourth acute angle is greater than the third acute angle.8. The LCD of claim 1, wherein each of the first pixel, the second pixeland the third pixel has a pixel edge which is parallel to the firstdomain orientation, and wherein each of the fourth pixel, the fifthpixel, and the sixth pixel has a pixel edge which is parallel to thesecond domain orientation.
 9. A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising:an insulating substrate; a plurality of pixels disposed on theinsulating substrate; and a display area in which the pixels arearranged in rows and columns, wherein four pixels arranged successivelyin a first direction form a domain pattern, wherein the domain patternis repeated in the first direction and a second direction in the displayarea, wherein a first pixel of the domain pattern has a first-typebranch electrode oriented at a first acute angle relative to a row amongthe rows and oriented according to a first domain orientation and has nosecond-type branch electrode oriented according to a second domainorientation, wherein a second pixel of the domain pattern immediatelyneighbors the first pixel of the domain pattern, has a second-typebranch electrode oriented at a second acute angle relative to the rowand oriented according to the second domain orientation, and has nofirst-type branch electrode oriented according to the first domainorientation, wherein the first acute angle is unequal to the secondacute angle, wherein a third pixel of the domain pattern has a thirddomain orientation, wherein a fourth pixel of the domain pattern has afourth domain orientation, wherein the first pixel has a pixel edgewhich is parallel to the first domain orientation, wherein the secondpixel has a pixel edge which is parallel to the second domainorientation, wherein the third pixel has a pixel edge which is parallelto the third domain orientation, wherein the fourth pixel has a pixeledge which is parallel to the fourth domain orientation, and wherein thefirst domain orientation, the second domain orientation, the thirddomain orientation and the fourth domain orientation are different fromeach other.